Gordon got the better of Norths on another wet Saturday afternoon in the first of two North Shore local derbies set to be played in the coming weeks.

Elsewhere, Western Sydney beat Sydney Uni to move within one win of a spot in the top six, while Warringah, Easts, Manly and Randwick secured their spots at the top end of the ladder with wins in round 11.

Gordon 11-5 Northern Suburbs – Image: Andrew Quinn

Gordon boosted their premiership credentials with an impressive 11-5 win over Norths on a wet and miserable afternoon at North Sydney Oval. 

While both sides struggled to score points, the match was engaging with brutal defence dominating the contest. 

Gordon opened the scoring with a penalty goal then extended their lead when James Armstrong, in a man of the match performance, scored in the 24th minute.

The Stags kicked downfield in the wet conditions and Norths’ spilled the ball, allowing the visitors to regain possession and extend their lead. 

Norths responded with a pick and go try to flanker Brody Leber and trailed by just three points at half time. 

But Gordon gained ascendency at scrum time and earned a penalty deep in Norths territory five minutes in to the second half. Ben Pollack kicked his second penalty goal to give his side an 11-5 lead. 

Gordon dominated territory for the remainder of the match and defended well to repel Norths’ few attacking opportunities.

After losing their opening two games of the season, Gordon have now won eight of their last nine matches and sit third on the ladder. Norths on the other hand, have won just one of their last six games and sit on the edge of the top six. 

Manly 24-3 Hunter

Manly ended a six game losing streak against Hunter, defeating the Wildfires for the first time since their return to the Shute Shield in a match played in horrendous conditions at Manly Oval. 

The first grade fixture was played after four colts and lower grade matches on the main deck, which was barely recognisable by the time the main game kicked off. 

The Marlins forwards scored two first half tries to establish a 12-3 lead before new scrumhalf Jack Stafford, a former Harlequins and Munster No.9, crossed on the stroke of half time to give his new team a 19-3 lead at the break. 

Conditions worsened in the second half and Manly were forced to work for their bonus point. But the home side eventually crossed through Hunter Ward in the 60th minute. 

The Marlins took maximum points from the match, which was one for the purists, but might not be playing or training on Manly Oval for a while after tearing the ground up. 

Hunter are now 11 points outside of the top six and need to string some wins together against the Two Blues, Eastwood and Sydney Uni in the coming weeks if they want to play finals footy again this season. 

Western Sydney 30-25 Sydney Uni

Western Sydney moved to within one win of a spot in the top six after an impressive 30-25 win over Sydney Uni at Camperdown. 

The Two Blues kicked three penalty goals in the opening 10 minutes before Uni scored through scrumhalf Henry Robertson with their first attacking opportunity. 

The Students took the lead with a maul try in the 30th minute but trailed 16-12 at the break after a try to Western Sydney lock Marcel Faaofo. 

With the match in the balance, the Two Blues scored two tries in three minutes midway through the second half to blow the match wide open. The visitors scored from a maul first, then scrumhalf Rilloy Suesue stepped his way through to score again just minutes later. 

Trailing 30-15, Uni scored two quick tries in the closing stages to give their fans hope of a comeback, but Western Sydney controlled possession in the final minutes to claim another win at University Oval. 

Warringah 24-12 West Harbour

Warringah scored three tries in a scrappy 24-12 win over West Harbour in the wet at Rat Park. 

The competition leaders opened the scoring with a cross field kick from Coby Miln to Harvey Elms. 

West Harbour responded immediately though scoring through No.8 Sione Tau. The visitors then came within inches of taking the lead, but flyhalf James Faiva spilled the ball just before the try line. 

Warringah extended their lead with a try from a maul late in the first half, then added a penalty goal early in the second half to lead 17-5. 

The Rats then scored a scrappy try through centre Luke McCready in the 75th minute to seal the result before conceding a consolation try to the Pirates after the 80th minute. 

While they weren’t able to pick up a bonus point, Warringah remain unbeaten at Rat Park this year  and play four of their next five matches at home. 

Randwick 22-7 Eastwood

Randwick head in to next week’s local derby against Easts on the back of three straight wins after beating Eastwood 22-7 at TG Millner. 

The Wicks led 10-0 at half time after Andrew Deegan and James Hendren combined nicely to set up a try for Ben Houston in the 29th minute. 

Deegan crossed himself midway through the second half and the visitors sealed the win with a try from a maul with 15 minutes remaining. 

Eastwood scored a contentious try through Blaise Barnes in the 72nd minute but didn’t really challenge the defending premiers in a fairly disappointing performance. 

The Woodies drop to eighth after the loss and will want to beat West Harbour and Hunter in the coming weeks if they plan to play finals footy this season. 

Eastern Suburbs 40-31 Southern Districts

Easts will also take plenty of confidence into next week’s local derby after claiming their fifth straight win. 

The Beasties looked to be cruising to a big victory over Southern Districts when they scored three tries early in the match, played on Sunday afternoon at Forshaw. 

But Souths showed some fight and scored on either side of half time to trail 28-17. 

Easts scored twice midway through the second half and led 40-17 but Souths responded again and added some respectability to the scoreline with tries to Liam Blyde and Caleb Beams. 

While the result was never really in doubt, Easts weren’t at their best against the Rebels. 

Winger Cooper Whiteside was brilliant with the kicking tee though, slotting four conversions from near the sideline before missing a sitter from next to the posts.